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Not Kubbra Sait, THIS other actor was supposed to play Kukoo in ‘Sacred Games’

Priyanshu Painyuli, who gained fame with Mirzapur, was originally going to play Kukoo in Sacred Games.

Not Kubbra Sait, THIS other actor was supposed to play Kukoo in ‘Sacred Games’

Sacred Games.

Last Updated: 09.07 AM, Jun 19, 2021

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Netflix original series Sacred Games helped boost the career of many celebrities but one particular name that became famous post the show was Kubbra Sait, who played the role of a transgender Kukoo in the web series. However, turns out that she wasn’t the first choice for the part. Apparently, Mirzapur 2 fame actor Priyanshu Painyuli was almost finalised to play the role when it was still being scripted. “I was a finalist with Kubbra for Kukoo's role in Sacred Games,” the actor confirmed to Times of India.

Priyanshu was offered the role while he was working with Vikramaditya Motwane on Bhavesh Joshi. Recollecting the same, he told the publication, “So I lost weight and this was while Bhavesh Joshi was being edited. (Vikramaditya) Motwane sir came to me and he said 'We are trying to figure out whether a guy should play Kukoo or a girl. And we are testing people, auditioning people, would you like to understand this?'”

He added, “I met Anurag Kashyap sir and understood the part. He said 'I know how you act and I have no problem with that. Tu accha kar hi lega scenes mein but read some of the Kukoo scenes and see if you want to attempt it. Because it is a little tricky to play that part'.”

“So I read those scenes and said give me one month's time. So it took a lot of prep. These guys also enjoyed the prep. I remember wearing five inch heels, walking around the house, lost weight. I have pictures of my Kukoo trial test,” he was further quoted as saying.

The actor revealed that after he auditioned for the role, Netflix decided to go ahead and cast a woman, after which Kubbra came into the picture. “The same get-up that Kubbra did. I got the eyelashes, the wig, the same gown, and I had to learn the dance very very much. Like Parveen Babi was the reference. So I danced at the studio in the whole outfit. Eventually, Netflix and everybody decided that (they should go with a woman for the role).”

Priyanshu also shared that he was missing something which was brought in by Kubbra Sait to the character, and that was the body language of Kukoo. “When I saw her doing it, I thought yeah, she was the right one. I wasn't so graceful when I danced either,” he shared.

Apart from Kukoo, Priyanshu claims to have been offered the role of MC Sher from Gully Boy too. The character eventually, obviously, went to Siddhant Chaturvedi, which marked his debut in Bollywood. “One of my favourite ones was MC Sher, Gully Boy, which Siddhant (Chaturvedi) did,” the actor shared.

Priyanshu will next be seen opposite Taapsee Pannu in Rashmi Rocket. The actor is also a part of Pippa with Ishaan Khatter.

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